Wire taping machine



Feb. 19, 1957 J. w. OLSON ETAL WIRE TAPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed May 22, 1953 INVENTORS. John W. Olson y Samson Sortlond ATTORNEYS1957 J. w. OLSON ETAL WIRE TAPING MACHINE z Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 22,1953 FIG. 2

INVENTORs. John W. Olson BY Samson Sorflond Luau/5m V/ 17.!

ATTORNEYS J. w. OLSON El AL 2,782,138

WIRE TAPING MACHINE Feb. 19, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 22, 1953INVENTORS. John W Olson co w Samson Sorflond ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 2,782,138 WIRE TAPING MACHINE John W. Olson, Hastingsjon Hudson,and Samson Sortland, Dobh's Ferry, N. Y.-, assig'nors to Anaconda Wireand Cable Company, a corporation of Delaware Application May 2 2, 1953,Serial 51 356,852 7 Claims. c 4- -2. 27)

This invention relates to wire taping machines. More particularly, theinvention provides an improved device adapted to impose a plurality ofhelical layers of paper tape upon metallic wires of round, square orrectangular cross section.

The apparatus that has been heretofore generally available to applypaper tape to electrical conductors usually incorporates a taping' headhaving mounted thereon a series of rolls of paper tape individuallypositioned uniformly about the periphery of thetaping head. in suchapparatus all the rolls of paper are rotated with the taping headorbitally about the wire passing centrally therethrough, so that thetape is unwound from rolls and wound directly on. tot-he wire. One ofthe principal difficulties with this type of apparatus results from thepositioning of the paper tape rolls about the periphery of'the tapinghead. The rolls being so positioned, the speed at which such a head canbe operated is greatly limited because of the unwieldiness of the headcaused by its large radius. This type of head cannot be effectivelyoperated at a speed much greater than 400 R. P. M. Another disadvantagelies in the fact that it is extremely difiicult to apply the diflerentlayers of paper tape under the same tension. This is caused by the factthat the diameter of the wire increases upon the application of eachsuccessive layer of papertape and therefore the outside layers requiremore material than the initial layers. Because Of'this, the rate ofunwinding of each rollof tape is different from and uncoordinated withthe other tapes, thereby causing the' tension under which the severallayers are applied to bedifferent. Still another disadvantage resultsfrom the dynamic unbalanee of the head that is caused by, and changescontinually in consequence of, the di f ren a es a w ch P per. i tak nrom t di jferent rolls.

The present invention proyides an apparatus having ,the'rolls of papertape positioned coaxially with a ro- 'itating member on which a new andnovel taping head is mounted, thereby producing a compact apparatus ofsmall radius. It also provides afltape dispenser which .is .adaptedftosupply a" plurality of tapes to the taping v t e pe a o t e app a u aate o spe d o up Wards o 0QR- .P-M- pS ce h ro ls r nte an e i rc sn fthe a a a us it at a fim maintained substantially in dynamic balance.

The apparatus of this rnventio adapted to apply I a plurality of layersof paper tape'tdw re; l-Iowever,

the apparatus may be equ ally 'adyantag'eously h appl c tiq he la rs fan s r er s rip ;te rialtoany'sort of an elongatedb'od or bodie h a Pa ritar' i i ed a pended claims to include other materials such as cloth,felt, and synthetic resinous compositions in filamentary or sheet form.

The apparatus of this invention comprises a supportingflframe upon whicha supporting base member is firmly mounted. A cylindrical casingassembly mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis issupported within said basermember. An immobile tubular member is mountedcoaxially within said cylindrical casing assembly. Fixedly mounted onone end of said cylindrical casing assembly is a taping head, and alsomounted on said cylindrical casing assembly is a tape dispenser. Meansare provided for guiding the paper tape from said tape dispenser to thetaping head. Means for pulling the wire through said immobile tubularmember, and means'for rotating said cylindrical casing assembly, arealso provided. The driving means is preferably geared to coordinate thespeed of rotation of the cylindrical casing assembly with the speed ofthe wire passing through the apparatus, as their relative speeds governthe extent to which the successive turns of the tape being wound on thewire overlap.

The taping head of the apparatus comprises one or more pairs of guidingfingers fixed about the periphery of one end of the rotating assembly,one pair being .has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outsidediameter of the wire passing therethrough, and supports the wire closeto the point where the tapes are applied,

' eliminating excessive oscillation or whip of the wire at the positionwhere the winding operation takes place.

An important feature of the new apparatus is the tape dispenser,comprising a plurality of annular separating plates which are positionedadjacent to and coaxially about an extension of the axis of the rotatingcylindrical casing. Said plates have an annular section of greaterthickness at their inside circumferences where they come into contactwith the rotating member. When rolls of paper'tapes are placed in themachine between the separating plates, the thicker annular sections comeinto frictional contact with only the spools upon which the paper tapeis supplied. An adjustable means is pro vided by which the amount offriction between the separating plates and the paper tape spools may beregulated, which in turn varies the tension under which the paper tapeis applied to the .wire. Locking means scribed below with reference tothe accompanying draw ings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is anend view of the tape dispenser taken substantially along line 2-2 ofFig. 1; v

Fig; 3 is an elevation, partly in section taken sub stantially alongline 3 -3 of Fig. 2, showing the rotating assembly including both thetaping head and the tape dispenser; and

Fig. 4 is an end view of the taping head taken substantially along line4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, a supporting frame 5 supports a theentire apparatus. A base member 6 is mounted on the frame 5 androtatably supports a cylindrical casing assembly 7. An appropriate powersource, such as an electric motor 8, drives the cylindrical casingassembly 7 by belts 9 and 10 connected to a pulley it which is affixedto the cylindrical casing assembly 7. The motor 8 is also connectedthrough a power transmission mechanism 12 to a sprocket wheel 13 which,through a driving chain 14 and gearing l5, drives a capstan 16. The wire17 on which the tapes are being wound is passed one or more completeturns around the capstan, which pulls it through the apparatus. Thecapstan 16 is geared so that the linear rate of travel of the wire 17 isin proper relation to the speed of rotation of the cylindrical casingassembly 7 to insure the desired amount of overlap of the tape beingapplied to the wire 17. Advantagcously the transmission 12 is a variablespeed drive mechanism, so that the rate of linear travel of the wire canbe varied relative to the rate of rotation of the cylindrical casingassembly 7. Thereby any desired degree of overlap, or of negative buttlap, may be obtained.

As best shown in Fig. 3, a cylindrical casing 7a which forms a part ofthe casing assembly 7 is rotatably supported within the base member 6 bybearings 13 and 19. Extending through the base member 6 and coaxialtherewith is an immobile tube 20 which is held in a stationary positionby a rod 21 which is afiixed to the tube 29 by a clamp 22. A thumb screw23 which is threaded on to the upper end of said rod 21 releasablysecures the clamp 22 about the tube 20. The lower end of the rod 21 isfirmly anchored to brackets 24 and 25 (Fig. l) affixed to the framesupport 5 by a removable pin 26. The wire 17 being covered is drawnthrough the immobile tube 20, and through an aligning die which isinserted into the end of the immobile tube 20 to keep the wire in properalignment while the paper tape is being wound thereon and to eliminateexcessive oscillation of the wire.

ing plate 31 which is fastened by bolts 3-5 to the flange memberconnects the sleeve 27 with the cylindrical casing 7a. The casing 7a andsleeve 27, together with the supporting plate 31 and pulley 11, form therotating casing assembly upon which the taping head and tape dispenser(described below) are mounted. The supporting plate 31 is atfixed to thecylindrical casing M by means of a threaded joint 32 and lock screws 33.

A circular plate 34 is secured to the supporting plate 31 by means ofbolts 35 and 36. At the periphery of the circular plate 34, anduniformly spaced 90 apart from each other, are paper strip guidesgenerally indicated at 37, 38,39 and (Figs. l to 3). The strip guidesare four in number, since the specific embodiment of the invention shownin the drawings is adapted to apply four paper tapes upon a wire. Themechanism can be modified in order that any number of layers of papertape may be applied, and the number and arrangement of rolls of. papertape and tape guides may be varied accordingly. Adjacent the circularplate 34 are five annular separating plates 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d and 41e,each having relatively thick annular hub sections-42a, 42b, 42c, 42d and420 at their inside circumferences. These plates 41a, 21b, 41c, 41d, and412, are mounted movably on a cylindrical member 43 which is coaxialwith the rotating sleeve 27 A locking means in the form of a bar 44 issecurely mounted on the circular plate 34 and extends into slots 45a,45b, 45c, 45d and 45a, one of which is formed in each of the separatingplates. Thereby the separating plates are restrained from rotating withthe paper tape rolls as the 4 rolls unwind. This enables each roll tounwind independently of the others.

It is to be noted that only the thicker annular hub sections 42a, 42b,42c, 42d, and 42a, of the separating plates are in contact with thespools 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d upon which the paper tape rolls are wound.A friction adjustment means is provided to adjust the amount of frictionbetween the annular hub sections 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42:2, and thespools 46a, 46b, 46c and 46d, of the tape rolls in order to regulate thetension under which tape is drawn from the, rolls. This means comprisesa collar 47 which bears against the outside separating plate 41a at itsthick annular hub section 42a. Such force as is exerted by the collar 47on the hub of the plate 41a is transmitted to the adjoining spool 46a,and through it to the hub ol' the next plate 41b, and so on, so thatsubstantially the same amount of pressure is exerted by the severalseparating plates 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41c on the respective spools46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d which carry the rolls of tape. The collar 47 isdivided longitudmally in two halves so it can be easily and quicklyremoved from the apparatus even when the wire 17 extends therethrough. Acoil spring 48 presses against the collar 47 through ring 49. The ring49 engages a slightly tapered neck 50 on the collar 47 so as to hold thehalves of the collar securely together. The compression of the spring 481s adjusted by means of an adjustment nut 51 which is threaded on to theend of sleeve 27. By tightening up or backing off the nut 51, the forceexerted by the spring 48 on the collar 47, and thence transmittedthrough the thick hub sections of the separating plates to providesubstantially equal frictional drag on each of the spools 46a, 46b, 46cand 46d, can be adjusted to produce the desired tension upon the papertape being unwound from the rolls. A lock nut 51a is provided to lockthe nut 51 in any desired position. I

As the tapes 1:, b, c and d are unwound from the rolls;

' they respectively pass over the tape guides 37, 38, 39 and 49 mountedupon the circular plate 34. Each guide com prises'a rod or bar 52 whichis screw threaded to the circular plate 34 through a spacer bar 52a. Aroller 53 is secured to the bar 52 by means of a split bracket clamp53a. The bracket clamp is slidably and rotatably mounted on the bar 52to enable the positioning of the roller 53 immediately over theappropriate tape spool, and may be locked in the desired position bytightening up on a clamp nut 53b. The roller is generally set at anangle of about 60-75 to the tangential path of the tape as it is unwoundfrom its roll. The roller 53 is adjusted at an angle so the tape uponbeing twisted through about 90' will pass over the roller 53 in properposition and not run ofi the roller. The tape then passes over aU-shaped arm 54 which is slidably mounted through the spacer bar 52a.The arm 54, when a roll of tape runs out or when the tape breaks, isreleased from the restraint imposed by the tape and is thrown out intoan extended position by centrifugal force. In its extended position itactuates a switch 55 mounted on the supporting frame 5. The switch, whenthus actuated, causes the motor to be deenergized so that the apparatusstops. Another tape must then be threaded into the apparatus before itcan be put back into operation. 1 i t The tape next passes over a roller56 mounted adjacent I the periphery of the circular plate 34 insubstantial alignment with the roller 53, and thence through an openinga plate. 41e.

perpendicularly to the path of the wire 17, an'da second linger 60extending substantially parallel "to said path. As illustrated'in Fig.4, the tape 'a after passing over the roller 58 passes over the firstguiding finger 59 and thence overthe second guiding finger 60, by whichit is directed helically onto the wire 17 which is being-pulled throughthe central opening of the guiding die 30. Each per- 'pendicularlyextending'guiding finger '59 is formed with a slight bend 6 1 near-theend thereof, to 'help keep the tape from running oif the finger. Eachsuch finger also is secured to a supporting collar 66, which is fixedlymounted on the sleeve 27, by a micrometer adjustment mount comprising anadjusting nut'63 screw-threaded on the stud 59a which is'integral withthe finger 59, and a wing nut'62 which locks the finger in the desiredposition.

'By this mounting the position of each perpendicular finger may beadjusted along the length of the wire in relation to the position of theother perpendicular fingers,

so that the spacing of the tapes on the wire 17 can be adjusted inrelation to each other. Each parallel extending finger 60 is securelyset in a collar 67 fixedly mounted on the sleeve 27 adjacent to andrearwardly of the supporting collar 66. Each of these fingers 69 furtherpasses 6'4 '(Fig. v1 into. the immobile tube 20, and thence through thealigning die 30adjacent thetapinghead. Before thewire is startedthroughtheapparatus, an ample supply of spare rolls 65 of-papertape are placedover the elongated die 64. These spare rolls can be used to replacerolls in the tape "dispenser withoutremoving the'wire '17 from theapparatus.

When any of the rolls of tape mounted in the tape dispenser areexhausted, the thumb screw 23 is removed to loosen the clamp 22. The pin26 is then removed from the bottom end of rod 21, to free it from thebrackets 24 and 25, so that it can be easily and quickly removed fromthe clamp. The clamp 22 can be left in place, or if desired it can beremoved by sliding it over the wire 17 and then sliding the wirelaterally through its slot. The ring 49 is then pressed back against thecompressive force of the spring 48, to release it from the neck of thecollar 47. Thereupon the two halves of collar 47 are easily removed, andthe separating plates 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e can be slid back overthe wire 17 Where it enters the apparatus. The separating plates arethen removed by passing the wire 17 laterally through the slots 45a,45b, 45c, 45d and 45e; and the remnants of the rolls of tape and theirsupporting spools are torn or cut radially and are removed from theapparatus. A roll of paper tape is then moved from the elongated die 64,along the wire 17, into position against: the. last separating Then thenext separating plate 410. is replaced, so that its annular hub section42d is in frictional contact with the new spool and its slot 45a is inengagement with locking bar 44. Then another roll of tape is broughtforward. By repeating these operations for each roll of tape, the tapedispenser is completely replenishedwith tape. The collar 47 is thenreplaced, the ring 49 is returned into position to clamp together thetwo halves of collar 49, and the rod 21 is replaced and clamped to thetube 20. The tape dispenser is thus replenished without having to cut orremove the wire 17.

Thus the improved apparatus of the'invention functions to apply uniformhelical layers of paper tape upon a wire more rapidly and with greateretliciency than has been heretofore possible. Also the supply andapplication "of-thesetapes to: the wire isgreatlyifacilitatetl: throughthe 'operation'andrrelationship of the improved taping head and tapedispenser mounted on the apparatus.

We claim: a l. A wire taping'device adapted to superimpose a pluralityof helical layers 'of paper tape upon a wire compri'singa sleeve member,.an immobile tubular member mounted coaxially within said sleeve member,said tubular member providing a path for wireto be taped, said sleevemember being rotatable about said immobile tubular member, an aligningdiefhaving a central opening adapted to have a wire pass therethroughmounted on said immobile tubular member at 'one end thereof, a tapinghead fix'edly 'mounted on said sleeve member at the same end as saiddie, said taping head including atleast one pair of guiding fingersafiixed about the periphery of said sleeve -member adjacent said die,each said pair of guiding fingers comprising one finger extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the path or 'saidwire and one'fingerextending substantially parallel to said path, whereby a tape whichpasses from a position parallel to the wire first over saidperpendicular finger and thence over said parallel-finger isguided-thereby helically on to the wire as it emerges 'through saidcentral openingin said die, a tape dispenser fixedly mount'edon saidsleeve member, means for guiding tape from said tape dispenser to saidtaping head, means forpullingthewire through said'ir'nmobile tubularmember and said the, and'means for'rotating'said sleeve member.

2. A wire taping device adapted to superimpose a plurality of helicallayers of paper tape upon a wire comprising a sleeve member, an-immobiletubular member mounted coaxially within said sleeve member, saidsleevemember being rotatable about said immobile tubular mem- "ber, analigning die'having a central opening adapted to have a wirepassjtherethrough mounted on said tubular member at one end thereof, atapingheadfixedly mounted onsaid sleeve member at the same'end as saiddie, a tape dispenser fixedly mounted on said sleeve member, said tapedispenser including aplurality of annular separating plates slidablymounted on said sleeve member, said plates having annular sections ofsubstantially greater thickness at their inner circumferences than attheir outer periphery, each said plate having a narrow slot extendingfrom its center so as to permit the removal of said member and said die,and means for rotating said sleeve member.

3. In a wire taping device, an improved taping head comprising incombination a rotating member'having a finger extending substantiallyparallel to said path, wherej by a tape which passes from a position.parallel to the wire first over said perpendicular finger and thenceover said parallel finger is guided thereby helically on to the Wire asit emerges through said central opening in said rotating member, theperpendicularly extending finger of V at least one pair beingindependently adjustably movable longitudinally of said wire to vary theoverlap of tape wound upon the wire. 7

4. In a wire taping device, an improved taping head comprising incombination a rotating'member'having a central opening adapted to'have awire pass therethrough, an aligning die inserted in said centralopening, and a plurality of pairs of guiding fingers afiixed about thepe riphery of said rotating member adjacent said die, each said pair ofguiding fingers comprising one finger extending substantiallyperpendicular to the path of said wire and one finger extendingsubstantially parallel to said path, whereby a tape which passes from aposition parallel to the wire first over said perpendicular finger andthence over said parallel finger is guided thereby helically on to thewire as it emerges from said aligning die, the perpendicularly extendingfinger of at least one pair being independently adjustable in adirection longitudinally of the wire to vary the overlap of tape woundupon the wire.

5. In a wire taping device, an improved tape dispenser comprising incombination a rotating member adapted to carry a plurality of rolls oftape, a plurality of annular separating plates slidably mounted on saidrotating member and adapted to be positioned one between each adjacentpair of rolls of tape, said plates having hubs of greater thickness thanthe plates projecting toward said rolls of tape from their innercircumferences to engage the central portions of said rolls of tape,each said .plate having a narrow slot extending from its center to itsperiphery so as to permit removal of said plate while a wire extendssubstantially axially through said rotating member, means forestablishing frictional contact between the hubs of said plates and thecentral portions of the rolls of tape, and means to lock said separatingplates in a stationary position in relation to said rotating member.

6. In a wire taping device an improved tape dispenser comprising incombination a rotating member adapted to carry a plurality of rolls oftape, a plurality of annular separating plates slidably mounted on saidrotating member, and adapted to be positioned between each adjacent pairof rolls of tape, said plates having an nular sections of substantiallygreater thickness at their inner circumference than at their outerperiphery, each said plate having a narrow slot extending from itscenter so as to permit removal of said plate while a wire extendssubstantially axially through said rotating member, spring means mountedon said rotating member urging said plates into frictional contact withthe rolls of tape,

an adjustment nut positioned on said rotating member controlling thepressure exerted by said spring means, and a locking bar extending fromsaid rotating member through said slot in each said plate, whereby saidplates are held in a stationary position in relation to said rotatingmember.

7. A Wire taping device adapted to superimpose a plurality of helicallayers of paper tape upon a Wire comprising a sleeve member, an immobiletubular member mounted coaxially within said sleeve member, an aligningdie having a central opening therethrough mounted on said tubularmember, said sleeve member being rotatable about said immobile tubularmember, a taping head fixedly mounted on one end of said sleeve member,a tape dispenser fixedly mounted on said sleeve member, said tapedispenser including a pair of annular separating plates slidablerelative to one another and mounted on said sleeve member and adapted toreceive a roll of tape between them, each of said annular plates havinga hub of greater thickness than the plate projecting toward said roll oftape from the inner circumference thereof to engage the central portionof said roll of tape, means for guiding tape from said tape dispenser tosaid taping head, means for pulling wire through said immobile tubularmember and aligning die, and means for rotating said sleeve member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,506,871 Waite Sept. 2, 1924 2,016,900 Humberstone Oct. 8, 19352,416,076 Uhler Feb. 18, 1947 2,533,307 Amos et a1. Dec. 12, 19502,658,694 Koch Nov. 10, 1951 2,680,469 Ahier June 8, 1954 FOREIGNPATENTS 507,055 Great Britain June 8, 1938

1. A WIRE TAPING DEVICE ADAPTED TO SUPERIMPOSE A PLURALITY OF HELICALLAYERS OF PAPER TAPE UPON A WIRE COMPRISING A SLEEVE MEMBER, AN IMMOBILETUBLUAR MEMBER MOUNTED COAXIALLY WITHIN SAID SLEEVE MEMBER, SAID TUBULARMEMBER PROVIDING A PATH FOR WIRE TO BE TAPED, SAID SLEEVE MEMBER BEINGROTATABLE ABOUT SAID IMMOBILE TUBULAR MEMBER, AN ALIGNING DIE HAVING ACENTRAL OPENING ADAPTED TO HAVE A WIRE PASS THERETHROUGH MOUNTED ON SAIDIMMOBILE TUBLUAR MEMBER AT ONE END THEREOF, A TAPING HEAD FIXEDLYMOUNTED ON SAID SLEEVE MEMBER AT THE SAME END AS SAID DIE, SAID TAPINGHEAD INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF GUIDING FINGERS AFFIXED ABOUT THEPERIPHERY OF SAID SLEEVE MEMBERS ADJACENT SAID DIE, EACH SAID PAIR OFGUIDING FINGERS COMPRISING ONE FINGER EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLYPERPENDICULAR TO THE PATH OF SAID WIRE AND ONE FINGER EXTENDINGSUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID PATH, WHEREBY A TAPE WHICH PASSES FROM APOSITION PARALLEL TO THE WIRE FIRST OVER SAID PERPENDICULAR FINGER ANDTHENCE OVER SAID PARALLEL FINGER IS GUIDED THEREBY HELICALLY ON TO THEWIRE AS IT EMERGES THROUGH SIAD CENTRL OPENING IN SAID DIE, A TAPEDISPENSER FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID SLEEVE MEMBER, MEANS FOR GUIDING TAPEFROM SAID TAPE DISPENSER TO SAID TAPING HEAD, MEANS FOR PULLING THE WIRETHROUGH SAID IMMOBILE TUBULAR MEMBER AND SAID DIE, AND MEANS FORROTATING SAID SLEEVE MEMBER.